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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, February 18, 2016 | 4 Four key areas of concern, including boundaries: MOH continued from p.1 proposal to formalize links between the LHINs and Public Health Units -- by transferring dedicated provincial funding from Public Health Units to LHINs. It suggests the LHINs would assume responsibility and ensure the transferred funds are used for public health purposes. "We have four key areas of concern and the first relates to boundaries," she told councillors. "The discussion paper proposes to expand the roles of LHINs. Halton is currently impacted by two LHINs -- the Mississauga Halton LHIN and the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant LHIN. While Public Health Unit boundaries align with municipal boundaries, LHIN boundaries do not. They often follow health care referral patterns." If the proposal were to move forward, the Health Department recommends having one LHIN for Halton. Halton Health also recommends local Public Health Units maintain independence and that their funding be protected and enhanced. Meghani said, as MOH, she has "serious concerns" that a "formal relationship, as envisioned in the discussion paper, could erode public health funding over time. "Unlike other jurisdictions in Canada, Ontario is somewhat unique in our set-up, with public health closely linked to municipal government and this has resulted in a highly-effec- As a health department, we welcome the opportunity to work more closely with the LHINs to improve population health, however, this type of collaborative work does not require a formal relationship, just additional resources to the public health side of the department. Halton Region Medical Officer of Health Dr. Hamidah Meghani Dr. Hamidah Meghani tive functioning system that is often envied by other public health systems," she said. Meghani said changes could weaken the relationship within the community as it works to prevent illness and keep people healthy. "As a health department, we welcome the opportunity to work more closely with the LHINs to improve population health, however, this type of collaborative work does not require a formal relationship, just additional resources to the public health side of the department. "In fact, we've already been actively assisting the LHINs in promoting a health equity agenda and, most recently, through our discussions on community hubs," she said. Meghani also noted concerns that the discussion paper makes no mention of the important role paramedic services plays in the health care system and how these services can be improved -- particularly in areas under direct control of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. She said the ministry must first address the "deficiencies" in the Central Ambulance Communications Centres and make them accountable to municipalities and regions. With regards to mental health and addiction services, the Health Department is suggesting the ministry take a closer look at the sector. Heavy discussion ensued for 45 minutes after Meghani's presentation, with many councillors puzzled. "We're not really sure what they're trying to fix here -- I don't think there is anything to fix within public health," said Meghani, when asked. "However, I do want to stress that by having us become accountable to yet another layer of bureaucracy that could erode our public health funding in our future and, as you all know, we've got some serious issues with our funding as it is," she added. Meghani said she's spoken with numerous medical officers of health and notes, collectively, they're not understanding where the discussion paper is coming from. "We were not consulted in any part of this process," she said. The discussion paper can be found by visiting www.health.gov.on.ca/en/news/bulletin/2015/docs/discussion_paper_20151217. pdf. Halton Region staff are recommending the regional chair write the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to provide Halton Region's comments and recommendations, which were supported by the Health and Social Services Committee last week and was approved by Halton Regional council Wednesday (Feb. 17). The regional chair will also work with Halton's MOH, with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's planned advisory municipal officials group and with the Association of Local Public Health Agencies to support ongoing efforts to present municipal concerns to the Minister of Health and LongTerm Care. Our Services D l r. M ge aris a D'An r. S g hiv ani Sag We offer full Family Dental Services in our brand new, state-of-the-art office in a calm and relaxing environment. 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